Mexican photographer's images of the blind win $50, 000 Grange Prize

The Grange Prize, launched in February of 2007, is a unique partnershipbetween the Art Gallery of Ontario and Aeroplan. It brings together apublic institution and a private enterprise whose common goal is to engagethe public in a dialogue about contemporary photography.

Each year, The Grange Prize recognizes the work of Canadian andinternational contemporary photographers, awarding $50,000 CAD to a winnerchosen through an online public vote from among two Canadian and twointernational artists.

The winner of The Grange Prize is announced at an awards ceremony held atthe Art Gallery of Ontario each spring.

The Grange Prize works each year with a different partner museum in acountry other than Canada. This partner museum launches the Prize in thatcountry, and helps garner public interest and enthusiasm for the fourartist candidates. All four artists participate in residencies as part ofthe Prize program, and are featured in exhibitions both at the AGO and inthe partner country. The Grange Prize partner museum for 2009 is Centro dela Imagen in Mexico City.

In 2009, the AGO entered into a cultural partnership with the Mexicangovernment. The Consulate General of Mexico assisted The Grange Prize inestablishing the curatorial panel and facilitated the relationship withCentro de la Imagen. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico will alsoensure that The Grange Prize is promoted through their embassies andconsulates around the world.